Hand To Mouth
Joan Baez Lyrics

Jimmy got nothing, made himself a name
Jimmy had nothing, but he shot some people and became known for his violent actions

With a gun that he polished for a rainy day
He always kept his gun clean and ready to use

A smile and a quote from a vigilante movie
Jimmy smiled and used a line from a movie where the hero takes justice into his own hands

Our boy Jimmy just blew them all away
Jimmy killed the people he targeted

He said it made him crazy
Jimmy believed that committing violence made him lose control of himself

Twenty five years living hand to mouth
Jimmy spent twenty-five years struggling to make ends meet

Hand to mouth, hand to mouth, hand to mouth
Jimmy lived in poverty and struggled to survive

Sweet little baby on a big white doorstep
A baby was left on the doorstep of a wealthy family

She needs her mother but her mother is dead
The baby's mother had passed away

Just another hooker that the lucky can forget
The baby's mother was a sex worker and was not valued by society

Just another hooker, it happens everyday
Prostitutes are often mistreated and ignored by society

She loved her little baby
The baby's mother cared for her child

But she couldn't bear to see her living hand to mouth
The mother did not want her baby to experience the same poverty and struggle she went through

Hand to mouth, hand to mouth, hand to mouth
The cycle of poverty and struggle repeated itself

I believe in the gods of America
The singer has faith in American ideals and values

I believe in the land of the free
The artist believes in the concept of freedom in America

But no one told me
The artist found out the hard way

That the gods believe in nothing
The values of America are empty and meaningless

So with empty hands I pray
The singer is left with nothing but hope

And from day to hopeless day
Every day feels like a struggle with no end in sight

They still don't see me
Despite hoping and praying, the artist feels invisible and ignored

Everybody talks about the new generation
People are always talking about the youth and their potential

Jump on the wagon or they'll leave you behind
One must adapt to changes or be left behind

But no one gave a thought to the rest of the nation
Other people in society are often neglected and forgotten

Like to help you buddy but I haven't got the time
People are too preoccupied with themselves to help others

Somebody shouted, "Save me"
Someone asked for help

But everybody started living hand to mouth
Everyone is struggling to survive

There's a big white lady on a big white doorstep
A wealthy woman is at her home

She asked her daddy and her daddy said, "Yes"
The wealthy woman's father gave her permission to give a little money to help others

Has to give a little for the dollars that we get
We must give a little of our wealth to help those in need

Has to give a little, they say it's for the best
We are told that helping others is beneficial for society

Somebody shouted, "Maybe"
Someone suggested that they could help

But they kept on living from hand to mouth
Despite willingness to help, it's difficult to make a significant difference in the lives of those living in poverty

So she ran to the arms of America
The wealthy woman sought refuge in the values of America

And she kissed the powers that be
She surrounded herself with powerful people to maintain her wealth and status

And someone told me
The artist learned from someone else

That the gods believe in nothing
Even the wealthy and powerful lack true values and morals

So with empty hands I pray
The singer remains hopeful despite the harsh reality

And I tell myself one day
The singer envisions a better future

They just might see me
The artist hopes to no longer be invisible to those in power